University of Delaware, BA in International Relations – focus in Economics Western International University, MBA – focus in Marketing

Family:

Four Children

How long have you lived in Arizona?20 Years

What is your party registration and how long have your been registered as a member of that party?Democrat, 24 Years

Previous public offices you've sought/held:

Current Member of the Phoenix Community and Economic Development Workforce Connection Board

Civic organizations in which you've been active?

Democracy for America, National Pan-Hellenic Council, The Arizona Black/Brown Coalition, Consumer Federation of America, National Organization for Women, Democracy for America, National Urban League, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated

Are you using public funds in your campaign?

No

Do you have any sort of a criminal record or any outstanding civil judgements? Please be specific.

No

BREAKING THE ICE

What is the best piece of political advice you ever received?

“Remember who you are and keep putting people before politics…” ~Brenda Norwood

What is your favorite book (besides a spiritual text)?

Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela

What favorite movie has meaning for you?

Star Wars

What is your favorite place in Arizona?

Patagonia Lake

Which Arizona political figure past or present do you most admire and why?

Polly Rosenbaum, because for nearly 50 years she was a leader in Arizona who advocated for education and libraries, showed fiscal responsibility as a long time chair of the appropriations committee, and built consensus among both parties to put Arizona People over political ideologies

ISSUES

Has state government been spending too much money, the right amount, or not enough? Specifically, how would you change the state's approach to spending?

The issue isn’t spending, it’s investing, and the state government has been woeful in its lack of investment in two particular areas: education and economic development. Both of these areas provide a return on investment which would lead to the state economy seeing an increase in revenue, yet with short-term thinking the state government has seen fit to continue to gut these areas to save pennies today but costing dollars tomorrow.
We have certainly been led astray from the direction of our state’s founders who stated in our Constitution that the legislature shall make such appropriations as shall insure the proper maintenance of all state educational institutions, and shall make such special appropriations as shall provide for their development and improvement. Presently, it has been well documented that public education has suffered hundreds of millions of dollars during the recent years, including last year when money from the 1% sales tax delegated for education was hijacked for purposes of a rainy day fund. Despite the will of the people clearly speaking through referendum that public education is to be a priority, the state’s elected officials have ignored the public and instead have adhered to political ideologies.
To further exacerbate the issue, the state government has both cut public education directly and has also diverted money from public schools to charter schools claiming it funds education but does not reveal that it further cuts public schools. If it wasn’t so detrimental to our funding of public education it might seem comical. As a result, public schools suffer. Older schools in particular, in communities inhabited by working class families, especially bear the brunt because they have to use dollars to repair and maintain facilities or update text books and other school supplies. However, newer public schools located in upper class suburban areas have dollars to spare for additional programs and manicured athletic fields. Because students’ performances begin to suffer in older schools due to lack of resources, the state government then further cuts funding from those schools as punishment placing them further behind. Then, as if to rub salt in the wound, the state government has the audacity to blame it on teachers’ skills and commitments.
We need to realize the shortcomings of public education as the reason to invest more, not to use it as an excuse to decrease funding. After all, it has been the actions of the state government that has caused the limitations of public education. Furthermore, we see a return on our investment in a number of ways. For example, it costs more than $30,000 per year to house an inmate in the Department of Corrections and approximately $5,000 to educate a student. Considering the number of beds needed to construct prison beds is based upon a calculation using the academic performance of third graders, one can see how they are directly related.
Another example is attracting quality jobs for Arizona citizens. William Harris, president and CEO of Science Foundation Arizona reported at a recent Maricopa Association of Government meeting to discuss boosting Arizona’s economy that while city and county governments understand economic development, he meaningfully omitted Arizona’s state government. He pointed out that our state’s wavering schools will cause significant trouble for our economy. Our state ranks 48th in science and mathematics in a country that ranks 30th in the world in science and mathematics “condemning our children to a Third World society.”
Speaking of economic development, our state government has seen fit to use tax-incentives to attract corporate investment costing the state approximately $600 million a year. Rather than use tax-incentives to attract businesses, our state should focus more on further infrastructure development. Chris Camacho, executive vice president of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council said a priority that businesses look at is, “how quickly can I get a return on capital?” This means companies look for infrastructure already in place so they can immediately build their plants and buildings. Also, they do not want to invest another $5 million to $10 million in infrastructure. An East Valley economic development director Chris Mackay further stated “lack of attention to infrastructure is the thing that puts Arizona at the greatest disadvantage.” In addition, infrastructure development would immediately create jobs. For years, the creation of a “Canamex” transportation corridor between Mexico and Canada as a primary route for funneling goods has been discussed. Such a project harkens back to the days of Goldwater and Hayden, leadership we sorely lack in our state government.
Relating back to education, the type of industries we seek should be targeted to include ground and air transportation, tech-oriented industries, green energy, and medical research. According to economist Enrico Moretti, author of The New Geography of Jobs, a greater divergence of the distribution of jobs and wealth is occurring among cities based upon the rate of college educated per capita. The innovation and knowledge economy, such as those industries I listed, is replacing traditional industries. These industries require an educated workforce in order to fulfill their needs for human capital. Fortunately, job growth is not only seen among the “innovators” and college educated. For every one innovator job, there are five new job openings for careers such as teachers, doctors, hairdressers and taxi drivers. This five to one multiplier effect is greatest among the innovation sector, speaking even more to the need investment in these crucial economic sectors.

Name one state agency or program you believe gets too much money. Why?

The Arizona Commerce Authority is allocated too much money. It receives approximately $200 million to dole out incentives and tax breaks as a very politically sensitive governmental agency that can only lead to impropriety.

Name one state agency or program you believe gets too little money. Why?

AHCCCS should have its funding restored. To begin with, by cutting around $500 million in state funding, we cost ourselves an additional $1.5 billion in matching federal funds. Furthermore, lack of accessible healthcare reverberates throughout the state’s economy, and therefore Arizona’s government serves a crucial role in making healthcare services available for low income residents. According to studies, the number one reason for bankruptcy is due to medical needs with 62% of those who file do so with significant medical bills. Unfortunately, our recent legislative policies have cost our economy dollars in order to save a few cents. By cutting healthcare services, many hardworking families who cannot afford private insurance find themselves in a significant amount of debt if they need to receive healthcare services. Furthermore, due to lack of payment from low income earners, the cost burden shifts to those who can afford private insurance, ultimately increasing their rates.
In addition, hospitals of course suffer. According to Peter Fine with Arizona’s Banner Health, the company endured $103 million in charity care and bad debt of $74 million in just one quarter. Such a trend will surely result in reduction of employees and services, with projections as great as 30,000 in the first year. Our state government needs to comprehend that cutting healthcare services to save money in the short term causes much greater losses in the intermediate and long term in the form of lack of payment to service providers and loss of jobs.
Not only should Arizona fulfill its direct responsibility to invest in healthcare services, but it should also serve a role as an advocate for healthcare providers when working with private insurance agencies. There has been a sentiment among health plan providers that emergency room visits that do not prove to be true emergencies will not be covered. I strongly believe that the Prudent Layperson Standard should remain in force, and hospitals should receive payment from insurance providers to cover costs of emergency room visits.

If you favor further state tax cuts, name one tax that should be cut and why.

I would examine a legislative proposal for the reduction or phased-out repeal of all residential rental tax. Often, people who reside in apartments do so because their financial assets are limited. Their budgets are tight, and I feel any reasonable thing we can do to help them maintain their housing should be done.

Do you think the 1-cent-per-dollar sales-tax measure should be extended? Why or why not?

Yes, it should be extended. Unfortunately, what we witnessed this past year, even when the voters of Arizona pass a law by referendum, the legislature circumvented the will of the people. As evidence, in 2010 voters approved a temporary 1-cent-per-dollar sales-tax measure to protect education, public safety and health and human services. The legislature fought this past session to place the nearly $500 million from this referendum in a rainy day fund and debt reduction as opposed to following the direction of Arizonans. In disagreement, our Republican Governor said the surplus should be used for investments that included building maintenance and education investment, "not so that the revenues could be squirreled away until a date uncertain for programs undisclosed." University students also should have realized an investment as a result of the referendum to help offset an increase of 36 – 38 percent in tuition during the past four years.
What we the people ultimately realized was political ideologies won out over the people, and the vast majority of the money was used to stash away in a rainy day fund. One should keep in mind the necessity for the rainy day fund is due to the mismanagement and shortsightedness of the state government in implementing economic development policies.

Is Arizona's budget too reliant on the sales tax? If so, what should be done to change the mix of revenues? If not, what should the state do to prevent cyclical drops in its revenue?

Yes, the budget is too reliant on the sales tax. Not only is it cyclical, but it is also regressive. However, obviously the state government cannot simply remove one source of funding and not replace with another. In order to change the mix of revenues, I would explore the necessary increases in the corporate tax rate to make up for the reduction in sales tax. I am confident that with a strong economic development plan coupled with increased prioritization of public education, Arizona businesses will realize a greater increase in revenue than they will in actual dollars spent due to an increased percentage rate.

Are there any circumstances under which you would favor a tax increase to offset future state budget deficits?

Looking at state budget deficits is much more complicated than selecting either spend less or tax more. The real option is to look at how our existing revenues are being used, and could they be used more as an investment rather than expenditures. I have discussed in my economic plan how I would rather utilize those investments, namely public education, economic development, and accessible health care. In addition, as I stated previously I am in support of the 1-cent-per-dollar sales-tax measure. Given the recent ruling by the Secretary of State, it appears it has been blocked from appearing on the ballot. If that proves the case, I will be proud to pursue reinstatement of the measure at the state legislature.

The fiscal 2013 budget contains a $450 million rainy-day fund. Were lawmakers prudent to set aside that much money, or should they use some of the money to restore programs cut over the last four years? If you favor some restoration, in what areas?

I do favor restoration, as stated in my prioritization of public education and AHCCCS. Further, KidsCARE should receive additional funding so we are no longer the only state that has the shame of children who are on a waiting list to be insured for health care.

Lawmakers have structurally balanced the state budget for the last two years by cutting programs and relying on the temporary 1-cent sales tax, as well as federal stimulus dollars. The stimulus dollars are gone, the tax expires in June 2013 and various groups say the cuts have been too deep. How would you keep the budget in balance?

I have discussed how I propose revamping our economic development plan in order to increase state revenues. In addition, I am also in favor of re-instating the 1-cent-per-dollar sales-tax measure.

Do you believe in greater transparency in the Legislature? What would you do to make it happen?

The real problem with the transparency is too many of our legislators have been led by out of state interests, primarily by ALEC. Admittedly, the information is accessible to voters, but they continue to get bombarded by so much political ideology, the facts never truly get realized.

Was SB 1070 a good way to approach immigration policy? What action does Arizona need to take next to deal with the problem of illegal immigration?

While I support the stance of protecting our borders, I consider the one-sided methodology that we adopted with SB 1070 to be too simplistic and short sighted. In addition to security, we must take a holistic approach that includes economic opportunities and legal reforms that address illegal immigration. Arizona should be at the forefront of leading the country in policies that set forth a multi-prong approach. Such policies will call for immigrants who work hard as positive attributes in our communities to enter legally, even if temporarily, and law enforcement can focus on punishing illegal immigrants who mean to do us harm.

CPS isn't investigating 100 percent of the reports it deems worthy of investigating. In fact, CPS has been unable to respond to hundreds of reports since at least October 2011, including those considered high risk. Do you believe CPS should respond to 100 percent of reports? If so, how would you make sure that happens?

I do believe CPS should respond to 100 percent of reports, the problem is they are not provided the resources able to do so. The legislature over mandates and under funds the agency, and then criticizes CPS for not fulfilling its responsibilities. It would be like a coach being critical of an athlete not running fast enough, so in response the coach insists the athlete only use one leg while running yet requires a faster time. The reason the legislature gets away with this is children do not vote, so it simply takes advantage of our most powerless citizenry.

Would you vote to allow guns on campus? (Or similarly, would you vote to allow guns in public buildings?)

Guns should not be allowed on campus or in public buildings. I support the rights of Americans to be responsible owners of firearms. However, in this particular circumstance two issues are raised. First and foremost, placing the safety and lives of people, especially children, in favor gun owners’ political ideologies is negligent. Secondly, even as a gun owner, I consider the required training to be sorely lacking in our licensing process, and therefore am cautious about allowing guns in such public places.

Do you agree with defunding Planned Parenthood? And/or the 20-week abortion ban?

No. Planned Parenthood should not be defunded, and in fact should be commended and supported for the valuable services it provides so many women, men and families in the state. Abortions are a very small portion of the services they provide, and per the Hyde amendment in 1977, public dollars cannot be used to fund abortions. More importantly is the critical and affordable health care services people can receive using them as their primary care physician.
Furthermore, I do not agree with the 20-week abortion ban. Simply put, this ban was put forth by politicians to put forth their agenda and override sound medical precedence.

Should Arizona act to declare "its sovereign and exclusive authority and jurisdiction over the air, water, public lands, minerals, wildlife and other natural resources within its boundaries"?

No, Arizona should not act to declare sovereignty. We should abide by established guidelines and work in tandem with the Federal Government. Our natural resources should be safe guarded at all cost. Considering the impact our decisions have on the environment, both short and long term, the most prudent course of action would be to include both state and federal levels in discussions. When it comes to protecting our natural resources we cannot afford mistakes. Therefore, we should manage our environment cautiously and conservatively, and having as many people around the table as possible creates a safe haven for decision making.

Should all employers be allowed to opt out of contraception coverage?

No, employers should not be allowed to opt out of contraception coverage. I live my life guided by principles of faith, family, and community. Personal, medical decisions should be made between an individual, their family, faith advisor, and health care professional. Make no mistake about it. I am an ardent member of my Church as a devoted Christian. With that in mind, out of respect of my religion and of others, I consider such policies of the Legislature regarding abortion to be an attack on individual liberties and not in defense of religious beliefs, although supporters said it was. The rights of women to choose medical procedures, including abortion, should be protected and the political ideologies of state officials being directed by out of state interests should not impose upon those rights.

There is likely to be a ballot measure this fall creating open primaries, where all candidates for an office compete in one election, and the top two vote-getters advance to the general election. It would be optional to list party affiliation. How do you plan to vote on this measure, if it qualifies for the ballot?

It is apparent the people of AZ want a process that better represents them. With the gathering of 365,486 signatures in support of open primaries, the most petition signatures ever collected, the people are speaking. I believe that People Matter, so I plan to vote yes on this measure.

Would spending more money on public schools increase the quality of education in Arizona? Why or why not?

Yes, because children not only deserve equal funding, but also equal facilities. As stated previously, our current funding system fails children in two ways. One, it underfunds, second, the use of funding should be more focused upon public schools, including those that are underperforming so they can provide the education all children deserve, not just those who reside in upper class suburban neighborhoods.

Do we need tougher restrictions on gifts to legislators? How would you change existing rules?

I consider the restrictions on gifts to legislators to be sufficient, as is evident during the last legislative session with officials on both sides garnering negative attention. The issue has been enforcement and clarifying what those restrictions are. If our elected officials are not fulfilling their obligations of full disclosure to the people, then they should be pursued with full vigor to enforce restrictions.

Arizona remains the only state in the country with a waiting list for KidsCare. Would you support funding to lift the enrollment freeze on KidsCare and eliminate the waiting list?

Our State Government has been woeful in supporting KidsCare. I applaud the efforts of Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Maricopa Integrated Health System, and the University of Arizona Health Network in contributing approximately $125 million bringing in another $220 million in matching federal funds to create a KidsCare II. While this is a prime example of the private sector working together to address serious concerns, it should not be a justification for the State to use it as a reason it does not have to contribute. On the contrary, I feel the State Government should be ashamed it is not doing more. In 2010, around 47,000 children were covered under KidsCare at the time of the enrollment freeze by the legislature, and now covers fewer than 11,000. Even after enrolling an additional 21,700 under KidsCare II, fewer children will have health insurance than did in 2010. Furthermore, we are the only state with a waiting list for children’s health program, more than 100,000.